U-haul (or similar) or Moving company

[yankeeyosh]

I am moving back to NY from CT, and I need a truck to move my furniture (it's not much, but I can't fit it in my car). I checked moving companies; the cheapest estimate I got was $600...and I would have to go back to CT anyway to let them in. I already made a reservation with Budget Truck Rentals, and that would cost me $280 or so. But I am scared about driving a truck. That's the only problem. Do you think I should just spend the extra $300, or it's really nothing to fear?

[paiger81]

I drove a few U-hauls, they are just big trucks. Not a whole lot to it. I'm a confident you will be fine. Just give yourself lots of turning room if you are getting the largest size they have.

[yankeeyosh]

I drove a few U-hauls, they are just big trucks. Not a whole lot to it. I'm a confident you will be fine. Just give yourself lots of turning room if you are getting the largest size they have.

I just fear driving without a rearview mirror...

[jillybean]

I will never drive a U-Haul again...I consider myself a very good driver, but I drove a smaller sized u-haul (14') and if you've never driven a decent sized trunk before...just make sure to take your time with it. I ended up getting all the way to public storage, unloaded all my belongings, got to my boyfriends house where we were to meet up so that he could drive it back (i'd had enough) and I pulled up to the house, cut into the curb to park and miss judged the length of the trunk and the backend went right up and over the front of my boyfriend car. That went over really well..."hi, um..I'm here, but I kinda just totaled your car..." Personally...if I had the extra cash, I'd say have someone else do it. But how far are you traveling? city streets its harder to manuver, etc...

[yankeeyosh]

Personally...if I had the extra cash, I'd say have someone else do it. But how far are you traveling? city streets its harder to manuver, etc...

It's 125 miles...mostly interstate, although I have to deal with the Bronx and Queens.

The amount of furniture I have is miniscule, really...just a bedroom set (dresser, chest, bed w/ headboard, mirror and nightstand...the latter two I can fit in my car), and a computer table. I mean, does anyone out there think that it would be better to have a mover do it? I guess I could afford it, but I don't want to piss money away if I don't have to.

Frankly...I can probably fit it in a cargo van if I had to, although to be on the safe side, I'll use a truck.

[ut_bill]

With that much stuff, you could almost get away with just a U-Haul trailor if you pack it right. I'd rather drive my own vehicle with a trailor attached than a bigger truck, but that's just me.

[yankeeyosh]

With that much stuff, you could almost get away with just a U-Haul trailor if you pack it right. I'd rather drive my own vehicle with a trailor attached than a bigger truck, but that's just me.

Can't....I have a Hyundai Elantra...I don't think that's a good idea... :)

[Kitty]

Whatever the hell you do, DO NOT USE U-HAUL!!!!!!!

[yankeeyosh]

Whatever the hell you do, DO NOT USE U-HAUL!!!!!!!

No, U-haul actually is a lot more expensive...

[analogman]

Since you have so little stuff, maybe you should consider renting a minivan and drive it two trips if necessary. It will be cheaper than renting a moving truck. You don't want stuff moving all over the place in the truck (which will happen if you have lots of empty space).

I drove a 24' moving truck once. It was kind of scary because of the HUGE blind spots. Anytime I had to change lanes, it was an adventure.

Also, I have read/heard quite a few horror stories about moving companies. What happens is they agree to a price, load up your stuff, and demand a higher price or they don't deliver your stuff. I'd only trust the really big named moving companies (Atlas, United Van Lines, Mayflower). Those big companies also charge quite a bit.

I think renting a minivan (they are quite easy to drive) would probably be cheapest/easiest.

[yankeeyosh]

Since you have so little stuff, maybe you should consider renting a minivan and drive it two trips if necessary. It will be cheaper than renting a moving truck. You don't want stuff moving all over the place in the truck (which will happen if you have lots of empty space).

I drove a 24' moving truck once. It was kind of scary because of the HUGE blind spots. Anytime I had to change lanes, it was an adventure.

Also, I have read/heard quite a few horror stories about moving companies. What happens is they agree to a price, load up your stuff, and demand a higher price or they don't deliver your stuff. I'd only trust the really big named moving companies (Atlas, United Van Lines, Mayflower). Those big companies also charge quite a bit.

I think renting a minivan (they are quite easy to drive) would probably be cheapest/easiest.

Well, they charge by the mile, so two trips, while less per mile, will probably cost more. And that would require 10 hours of driving in one day. But you know something...I think I'll take measurements and see...maybe one trip will do the trick.

[biodork]

Whatever the hell you do, DO NOT USE U-HAUL!!!!!!!
DITTO to that. UHAUL can kiss my ass.

[analogman]

Well, they charge by the mile, so two trips, while less per mile, will probably cost more. And that would require 10 hours of driving in one day. But you know something...I think I'll take measurements and see...maybe one trip will do the trick.

Rent the minivan from a rental car company, not the moving truck company. You should be able to rent one for a day with unlimited miles for maybe $70-$80 dollars. Gas for 500 miles is probably 75 dollars (at 20MPG and $3/gallon).

Driving 10 hours in a day is the hard part. Maybe rent with a friend as an authorized driver and you two can trade off driving.

[yankeeyosh]

Nope...doesn't look like I can fit it in a cargo van. Probably can't even fit it in a 10' truck...would need a 14-16' truck. The problem is the computer cart...there would be plenty of room, but it's pretty bulky, and the dimensions are pretty big.

[biodork]

Hey don't know if you already knew this but on the inside of a 14 ft truck, it isn't actually 14 ft, its more like 11 (at least this is how it was with Uhaul, and I'm thinking most of these trucks are the same). I think with Uhaul a 17 ft truck was more like 14 on in inside. There should be something where they show total dimensions.

[yankeeyosh]

Hey don't know if you already knew this but on the inside of a 14 ft truck, it isn't actually 14 ft, its more like 11 (at least this is how it was with Uhaul, and I'm thinking most of these trucks are the same). I think with Uhaul a 17 ft truck was more like 14 on in inside. There should be something where they show total dimensions.

I think I'll rent a 16' truck to be on the safe side...

[heatherf]

I've never had a problem with U-Haul myself. And I actually like driving the pick ups etc- it's fun, and red-necky for me cause I grew up in a small town and it makes me feel like home.

It's really not a big deal. Probably even less of a big deal if you are doing it on a weekend when there is less traffic to worry about.

[week2week]

I moved from PHL/SJ to Albany, NY using UHAUL. Then I moved from Albany to Denver, CO using Penske. Penske is by far the better rental. Their trucks are always newer, and somehow they're less expensive than UHAUL.

[computer guy]

What are the deminsions of this computer desk? Can you partially disassemble it? I had an L shaped desk and when I moved, I separated the two sides and it fit nicely in the 10' truck. I have a friend who had a much more bulky computer desk, it was separated to 3 pieces and fit nicely in the truck he rented.

As far as driving without the rear view goes. You should still have two side mirrors. I'd recommend setting them up so you can see around the truck. Just take it easy on the corners as they don't always go around as well as you would think.

[yankeeyosh]

What are the deminsions of this computer desk? Can you partially disassemble it? I had an L shaped desk and when I moved, I separated the two sides and it fit nicely in the 10' truck. I have a friend who had a much more bulky computer desk, it was separated to 3 pieces and fit nicely in the truck he rented.

As far as driving without the rear view goes. You should still have two side mirrors. I'd recommend setting them up so you can see around the truck. Just take it easy on the corners as they don't always go around as well as you would think.

Well, I guess there could be a place where I can unscrew it, but I don't think it's a good idea...

[coll214]

I drove a 14' UHAUL truck when I moved back to my hometown. It was kind of fun, and no one thought I could handle it, so just on principle I had to prove them wrong :p. Just drive carefully, and definitely watch the corners as stuff can slide if not packed properly. Personally, I'd rather deal w/ my stuff on my own than trust it to strangers...